KAREN KAY USAVAGE

1940 - 2024

Karen Kay Mulder decided to be born on August 12, 1940, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota to Bernard Mulder and Madaline (Crane) Mulder.
Two years later, they would land in St. Louis, Mo. where Karen would soon welcome her first sibling, best friend and fellow Cheez-It sister, Judith Jane.
As a young girl, the inquisitive and creative Karen took piano lessons, played the snare drums, sang at church and loved reading. She also enjoyed going to the movies and, of course, tap dancing with Judy under Madaline's tutelage. But her real joy came in visiting her maternal grandparents James (Jim) and Enga Viola (Viola) on their farm in Ida Grove. She and Judy spent countless hours in their grandparent's adoring care and company, reveling in farm life.
Their childhood took a tumultuous turn with the passing of Bernie in May of 1949 from a heart attack while they were living in Cincinnati, Ohio. Madaline moved her young girls to Ida Grove, Iowa to be near her parents and began a new life.
When Madaline remarried in 1952, Karen became the ultimate big sister with the arrivals of Jacqueline Jo Ann, Cynthia Sue, Michele Jolene, Tamara Suzanne and Kelley Jo Ann. Karen would lead this pack of "Seven Sisters" for her entire life, becoming a second mother to them as the family made frequent moves around the Midwest in their earlier days.
In 1961, Karen graduated from Holy Trinity High School in New Ulm, Minnesota where she'd also been a local beauty queen, having been crowned Miss New Ulm.
Karen was extraordinarily intelligent and developed a fascination for science after receiving a microscope for Christmas when she was a young girl. Karen worked at a hospital in high school and eventually went to nursing school at St. Cloud School of Nursing, becoming a Registered Nurse in 1961. She would go on to devote her life to caring for others while both on and off the clock. This attribute would become the very definition of Karen as a human.
In 1961, Karen fell in love and married Enoch Carruyo. They soon welcomed two children: Jane Marie and Leslie Kay.
Karen and Enoch relocated their young family in 1966 to his home country of Venezuela and soon after welcomed their son, Jeffrey Lee. Karen was tragically widowed in 1969 but remained in Venezuela raising her three young children with help from Enoch's family.
In 1969, while working on a theatrical production of Promises, Promises in Venezuela, Karen met the love of her life, Daniel Usavage whom she married on November 4, 1971, and with whom she welcomed daughter Susan Danielle in 1975. This partnership would last nearly 53 years and would bring the richest and most joyous years of Karen's life.
Karen eventually went back to school to obtain her degree as a Nurse Practitioner. She worked selflessly and tirelessly, helping, healing and comforting patients until her final retirement in 2010.
She and Dan raised their children in a loving home, rejoicing in their accomplishments and celebrating the arrivals of spouses and grandchildren. But mostly, Karen and Dan loved being together and enjoying the home and abundant life that they created.
Karen Usavage was a wife, a mother, a sister, a grandmother (Nanny), an aunt, a cousin, a colleague and a friend. She was a nurse, a caregiver, a volunteer, a writer, a singer, a dancer, a world-traveler, a fantastic cook, an avid reader, a social media devotee, a storyteller, a Frida Kahlo lover, a music lover, a planner, a do-er and a BOSS in more ways than one.
Karen was widely known for her strong, unwavering opinions and for taking control of any situation she encountered. While family members lovingly referred to her as bossy, she preferred "assertive." Whatever the adjective you selected, you were fortunate if Karen turned her attentions to you or your cause, because you could be assured tasks would be completed thoroughly and efficiently. She affectionately earned the nickname "Command Central" from some members of her family. Karen thrived in both creating order and giving orders.
Karen loved being with Dan and her children, attending the events of her grandchildren and spending time with her six sisters. She loved being purposeful and productive. She was a liberal, a trailblazer and a truth-teller. She was compassionate yet commanding, with a crunchy exterior with a gooey, sweet center. And at this sweet center was where she kept her family.
Karen Kay Mulder Usavage left this earth on September 17, 2024 at the age of 84. Her heart had given all it could.
Karen is preceded in death by her parents, Madaline and Bernie and her first husband, Enoch.
She is survived by her adoring and patient husband of nearly 53 years, Dan; five children, Jane Usavage of Gaithersburg, Md., Leslie (Randy) Bullitt of Media, Pa., Jeffrey (Cindy Burney) Usavage of Sarasota, Fla., Susan (Todd) Usavage-Rudy of Wellsboro and Paul (Rose) Raube of Alta, Wyo.; eight grandchildren, Lauren (Alex), Daniel (Jess), Madelyn, Samuel, William, Nathaniel, Reilly, and James; six sisters, Judy Flanery of Omaha, Neb., Jacquee Dickey of South Bend, Ind., Cindy (Chet) Chidester of Tripoli, Iowa, Michele (Tommy) Dickey-Kotz of Lamoni, Iowa, Tamara Dickey of Bayard, Iowa, and Kelly Cuddy of Bayard, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews.
She is already and forever will be missed.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. Buckheit Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Inc. 637 S. Main St. Mansfield, PA is assisting the family. www.buckheitfcandcrematory.com